How the digital donor landscape is changing

Tom DeFraine, July 8, 2019

The donor landscape is changing – perhaps for good. As millennials start to turn 40 years old, charities have to diversify their income and become social causes in order to capture essential funds and much-needed attention.

As the giving community changes so do their expectations with 42% of millennial donors expecting some kind of live chat through your website when interacting with your cause. Collectively, millennial donors’ and Generation X (born after 1965) makeup over 50% of donors in the UK. They’re also twice as likely to increase their contributions year on year compared with the older generation (who are just as likely to reduce their contributions).

“Donors are now wanting charities to show accountability”

What’s more striking, however, are the changing attitudes that come with an evolving charitable giving. The idea that charity starts at home is becoming dated. Donors are now wanting charities to show accountability – there’s pressure for organisations to demonstrate impact given lack of trust following scandals which are becoming more frequent. None of these challenges are going to be easy to overcome, but they aren’t going away.

What does this mean for social?

Social platforms face unique challenges to organisations in this new world – but they can also be great solutions to traditional charity problems; transparency and demonstrating impact being a great example. The use of social media to demonstrate impact is a no-brainer but given that 60% of millennials and Gen Z said a message on social media was an acceptable way of asking for donations, the need for coverage on social is more important than ever.

23% of all millennials use social media to research before they give

Giving is starting to be an activity that is led by the younger generations. However, the missing piece of the puzzle is demonstrable impact outside of the archaic annual report. Social wins the day here. 39% of all Gen Zers and 23% of all millennials who research before they give use social media as their preferred method. Both Gen Zer’s and millennials want to give via social or would give as a result of seeing something inspiring on social.

Becoming a social-first organisation

The next logical step is to become a social-first organisation. For years, organisations have debated how becoming “donor-centric” is going to revolutionise giving. But it’s way more important to become social-first. Social first organisations put beneficiaries front and centre without neglecting the donor experience – transforming your cause into a movement as a result.

The best thing about being a social-first organisation, however, is that you’re mobile-ready by default. You’re in people’s pockets and able to show impact with the best storytelling tools on the market. Whilst change is challenging it’s the end product that you’ll remember – equipping yourself for the future so your organisation can thrive.